Dishwasher control mechanism



July 19, 1955 Filed Jan. 5, 1951 J. STANITZ ET AL DISHWASHER CONTROL MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet l gm ye i Bunentors Jaw ues Stan/i123, 8g Myron .UllmanJn w JohnLJIwbe 'Zz' Gttornegs July 19, 1955 J. STANITZ ET AL DISHWASHER CONTROL MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 5, 1951 Zhmentors J0hn/L.Ha/be 5;

W Gtfornegs B Mgr E.UllmwnJ United rates Patent nrsuwasnnn contract. lilEJHANlS-M Jacques Stanitz, Warren, Myron E. Ullman, 3n, Canfield, and John L. Hahe Cleveland Ghlo assi nets to Mini lms Manuracturm OZ JGIHi'ZQE Salem, Gino a cora 1 S 3 poratron of New York Application January 5, 1651, Serial No. Ell-4,596

16 Claims. (Cl. 134-53) The invention relates generally to automatic dishwashing apparatus, and more particularly to control mechanism for selectively starting the dishwasher operation or for unlocking the dishwasher lid and automatically shutting off the circulation of water in the dishwater tub. This application is a continuation-in-part of our copending application, Serial No. 185,232, filed September 16, 1950, and now Patent No. 2,692,602, granted October 26, 1954, entitled Automatic Dishwashing paratus. Said application, Serial No.185,232, discloses a dishwasher in which the washing medium is automatically circulated into and out of the dishwasher tub at timed intervals during a dishwashing cycle, with a control knob manually operable either to start the cycle or to open the dishwasher lid at any time during the cycle, the circulation of the washing medium being automatically shut off by the lid opening movement.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide novel manual means for opening the dishwasher lid at any time during the dishwashing cycle, said means being selectively operable to start the dishwashing cycle.

Another object is to provide novel means cooperating with said manual means for automatically stopping circulation of the dishwashing medium when the lid is opened during the washing or rinsing operation.

More specifically, it is an object to provide a simple manual control which may be rotated in one direction to open the dishwasher lid, and rotated in the opposite direction to start the operation of the dishwashing cycle.

A further object is to provide novel control mechanism including a manual control for releasing a catch normally locking the dishwasher lid in closed position, said manual control being selectively operable to actuate a dishwasher starting switch without releasing said catch.

Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a simple, inexpensive and easily operated mechanism for controlling selectively the starting of the dishwashing cycle and opening the dishwasher lid at any time with automatic stopping of circulation of the dishwasher medium.

These and other objects are accomplished by the parts, constructions, mechanisms and combinations comprising the present invention, a preferred embodiment of which is shown in the accompanying drawings as exemplifying the best known mode of carrying out the invention, said invention being described in general terms in the following general statement, and being set forth in detail in the accompanying specification, the scope of the invention being defined in the appended claims.

In general terms, the novel control mechanism of the present invention includes a manually rotatable lever having a slot and pin connection with a link extending in one direction and connected to the dishwasher starting switch, said lever having another slot and pin connection with a link extending in the opposite direction and connected to the catch normally locking the dishwasher lid in closed position, there being a safety catch engaged by the lid in closed position for actuating a safety switch electrically connected in circuit with the washing medium circulating means.

Referring to the drawings forming part hereof, in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown by way of example:

Figure 1 is a front elevation, partially broken away, of a dishwasher embodying the novel control mechanism of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary front sectional view of the control mechanism, taken behind the front panel of the dishwasher cabinet;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view substantially on line 33, Fig. 2, showing the lid in open position;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 3, showing the lid approaching closed position;

Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the lid fully closed;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view as on line 6-6, Fig. 3; and t Fig. 7 is a wiring diagram of the electrical circuit to the motor driving the washing medium circulating means.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

The dishwasher shown in Fig. 1 includes a tub or vat 21 preferably supported within a sheet metal cabinet indicated generally at 22 and having a base 23, a removable front panel 25 and a front door 26.

The cabinet top indicated generally at 28 preferably includes a top wall 28' and a recessed inner shoulder 29 connecting with a downwardly extending flange 39 which extends within and overlaps the upper portion of the tub wall 21a, as shown in Fig. 3. The bottom edge of the flange 3:? is spaced from the tub wall so as to provide a narrow annular vent between the tub and the cabinet top, as indicated at 31. This vent provides for the escape of Vapor within the tub, and this construction is described and claimed in our co-pending application, Serial No. 178,054, filed August 7, 1950, now Patent No. 2,692,605, granted October 26, 1954, and entitled Dishwashing Apparatus.

The lid 32 for the dishwasher tub is hinged in a usual fashion on the cabinet top adjacent the splash back 34 thereof, and the lid carries a rubber gasket 35 which seats on the shoulder 29. The lid is preferably urged upwardly toward open position by spring hinges of usual construction, such as shown in our co-pending application, Serial No. 185,232.

The bottom wall of the tub 21 is preferably provided with a central depending well or sump 48, and a tub inlet pipe is mounted in the center of said well by means of a nut 48a. The tub inlet pipe is detachably-connected by means of a piece of flexible hose 49 and hose clamps 50 to the outlet 51 of a centrifugal pump 52. The pump inlet is detachably connected by means of a piece of flexible hose 54 and hose clamps 55 to a tub outlet 56 mounted in the well 48 radially outward of the nut 48a. Thus, the pump is in effect connected in series with the tub inlet 49 and tub outlet 56. The pump 52 recirculates washing medium or liquid from the well 43 through the tub outlet 56 and inlet 49 back to the center of the well. The washing medium entering the tub through inlet 49 may be sprayed or thrown outwardly against the dishes arranged within the tub, after which the washing medium flows downwardly over the sides of the tub and again collects in the well 48.

The pump 52 is driven by an electric motor '70 which may be mounted on a suitable base plate 7G-rtsupported on a bottom Wall 22: of the cabinet. Electrical conductors 74 connect the motor '76 in circuit with a source of electric current.

The novel lid locking construction preferably includes a strike bar plate 39 secured by bolts in a recess 91 in the front edge of the lid 32, a gasket 89 being lo- 3 cated between the plate 89 and the front of the lid covering the holes for the bolts. A strike bar portion 88 projects integrally forwardly from plate 89. When the lid is closed, as shown in Fig. 5, the strike bar is closely adjacent to the vertical wall 92 of the cabinet r a U-shaped bracket 96 secured as by welding to the underside of the shoulder 29. The upper end of the catch 94 has a locking projection 97 extending through the opening 93 for engaging over the strike bar 88 in closed position to lock the lid. A coil spring 98 located around a bushing mounted on the pin 95 has one end 98 hooked under the bottom of the catch bar 95 for urging it in a clockwise direction to the lid locking position. The other end 98" of the spring extends downwardly and is hooked to the downwardly extending end 9821' of a similar spring 98a around the other end of the bushing on pin 95.

As shown in Fig. 4, as the lid approaches closed position, the strike bar 88 engages the inclined upper surface of the locking projection 97 and rotates the catch bar on its pivot 95 in a counterclockwise direction against the action of spring 98. When the strike bar passes the point of the projection 97, the spring 98 snaps the projection over the strike bar and holds the lid closed in the position of Fig. 5.

An ear 99 on the front bottom portion of catch bar 94 is pivotally connected by a rivet 100 to an angle bracket 101 which is adjustably connected to the top of a link 102, by means of a bolt 101a passing through a slot 101' in the link. The link 102 has a slot 102 in its lower end, and is connected by a pin 103 passing through the slot with a lever bar 104. The lever bar 104 is provided at its central portion with a control or operating shaft 105 extending through the front panel 25 of the cabinet, and preferably having a circular handoperated knob 106 movable axially thereon exteriorly of the cabinet. An escutcheon plate 25a may be positioned between the knob 106 and the panel 25.

The knob 106 is slidable axially on the front of shaft 105 an amount determined by the axial movement of set screw 106' within the groove 105 of the shaft 105, and the knob is urged axially outward by a spring 106a. In order to turn the shaft, the knob is pushed inwardly and rotated in either direction until radial notches 1061) on the shank of the knob slip over the ends of a pin 105a projecting from opposite sides of the shaft 105. This requirement of pushing and turning the knob makes 'it more difficult for the dishwasher to be operated or the lid opened'accidentally.

Preferablythe operating shaft 105 is rotatably mounted in a plate 107 supported by bolts 108 in spaced relation behind the panel 25. A spring 109 connects the end of bar 104 opposite the link 102 to an car 110 on the plate 107 for yieldingly holding the bar in horizontal position; The bolts 108 also act as stops to limit movement of the lever bar 104 in either direction. The other end of bar 104 beyond link 102 is connected by a pin 111 to the upper end of a starter switch operating link 112,'the pin 111 passing through a slot 111 in the upper end of the link. The link 112 is preferably connected to a link rod 112 (Fig. 1) having an adjusting turnbuckle 112a, and rod 112' is operatively connected at its lower end to a starting switch 145. V

Manually turning the knob 106 clockwise at any time after the pin 105a and slot 106!) in the knob are engaged will pull down on the link 102 and release the catch 97, allowing the lid to spring open. This manual operation may be performed without alfecting the position of link 112 because of the pin and slot connection between 4 the link 1112 and lever 104. The knob may be turned counterclockwise to raise link 112 and actuate the starting switch without afiecting the position of link 102, because of the pin and slot connection at 103 between the link 102 and the lever 104.

A safety catch bar 113 similar to catch bar 94 is mounted on the pivot pin and has a rounded projection 114 on its upper end extending through the opening 93 moved by the strike bar 88 during its opening and closing movement. The lower end of bar 113 is engaged by one end of the spring 98a for urging the bar in a clockwise direction, the lower end 98a of the spring being hooked to the lower end of spring 98, as previously described.

A pin 113a is secured at one end in an ear on the front end of catch bar 113, and the projecting end of the pin is connected to the upper end of a depending link 115 which at its lower end abuts one end of a spring plate 116. Depressing the link 115 causes the plate 116 to press the switch button 117 of a microswitch 118, called herein a safety switch, mounted on plate 107. The switch 118 is a single pole double-throw switch of usual construction and is electrically connected in circuit with the pump motor 70 and a single pole double-throw starting switch 145, as shown in Fig. 7.

As the strike bar 83 moves the projection 114 of the safety catch 113 when the lid is approaching closed position, as in Fig. 4, the counterclockwise rotation of catch bar 113 will depress the link 115 and actuate the switch button 117 to move it to its full-line or circuitclosing position as shown in Fig. 7. Since the projec-' tion 114 of the safety catch is lower than the projection 97 of the locking catch 94, the strike bar in its closed position of Fig. 5 is locked by projection 97 but continues to hold the safety catch in position depressing the link 115 and holding the switch 113 in position closing the circuit with the motor 70. Also the rounded contour of projection 114 prevents it from accidentally locking over strike bar 88 to hold the lid closed. When the lid is opened, as in Fig. 3, the spring 98a will rotate the safety catch clockwise to raise the link 115 and release the switch button 117, allowing the switch to snap to the dotted-line position of Fig. 7, breaking the circuit to the motor and stopping the circulation of the washing medium.

The actuation of the starting switch by lifting the link rod 112 may be accomplished in various ways within the scope of the present invention. by way of example, the link rod may be connected at its lower end to an actuating lever pivoted at 151 and urged in a counterclockwise direction by means of a torsion spring positioned around the pivot pin. Lifting upwardly on the link 112 rotates the lever 150 in a clockwise direction and lifts upwardly on the adjacent end of an arm 155 secured at its other end to the starting switch 145. The switch is pivoted bodily at 156 so that it is rotated clockwise by the actuating lever 150' lifting upwardly on the arm 155, which presses the switch button 147' against a finger 146 to actuate the switch to its fullline position of Fig. 7 and close the circuit to switch 118" and thence to the motor 7 0.

Once the starting switch 145 is actuated to start the dishwashing cycle, the switch 145 is held in the closed position throughout the. cycle, preferably by engagement of a timer cam plate 128 with the switch finger 146. However, if the lid is opened manually at any time by pushing the knob 106 inwardly and turning it clockwise, the disengagement of the strike bar 88 from the safety catch projection 114 will instantly raise the link 115 and open the switch 118, thereby shutting off the motor 70 if the motor is running and stopping the water-circulating means. This manual opening of the lid can be performed at any time during the cycle without affecting the position of the links 112 and 112', because of the pin and slot connection between link 112 and lever bar 104. Simi- As shown in Fig. 1, V

larly, when the lid has been closed, as in Fig. 5, prior to starting the dishwashing cycle, the knob 1% can be pushed in and turned counterclockwise to lift the link 112 without disturbing the position of link 102 and unlocking the lid.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a simple manual control which may be rotated in one direction to open the dishwasher lid at any time and automatically stop circulation of the dishwashing medium, or which may selectively be rotated in the opposite direction to start the dishwashing cycle in operation with the lid closed. The control mechanism of the present invention is simple and inexpensive to construct and maintain, and easily operated for selectively controlling the starting of the dishwashing cycle and the opening of the dishwasher lid.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness and understanding, but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom, because such words are used for descriptive purposes herein and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the embodiment of the improved construction illustrated and described herein is by way of example, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the exact details of construction.

Having now described the invention, the construction, the operation and use of a preferred embodiment thereof, and the advantageous new and useful results obtained thereby; the new and useful constructions, and reasonable mechanical equivalents thereof obvious to those skilled in the art, are set forth in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a dishwasher having a tub, a closure lid therefor, and motor driven means for circulating water in the tub, lid locking and control mechanism including a starter switch electrically connected in circuit with said motor, a strike bar on said lid, a latching catch pivotally associated with said tub for engaging over the strike bar in lid closed position, a safety catch pivotally associated with said tub for abutting said strike bar in lid closed position, a safety switch operable by said safety catch and electrically connected in circuit with said motor, and manual means movable in one direction for releasing said latching catch to open the lid and movable in the opposite direction for actuating said starter switch.

2. In a dishwasher having a tub, a closure lid therefor, and motor driven means for circulating water in the tub, lid locking and control mechanism including a starter switch electrically connected in circuit with said motor, a latching catch movably associated with said tub for holding said lid in closed position, a safety catch movably associated with said tub for engaging said lid in closed position, a safety switch operable by said safety catch and electrically connected in circuit with said motor, and manual means movable in one direction for releasing said latching catch to open the lid and movable in the opposite direction for actuating said starter switch.

3. In a dishwasher having a tub, a closure lid therefor, and motor driven means for circulating water in the tub, lid locking and control mechanism including a starter switch electrically connected in circuit with said motor, a latching catch movably associated with said tub for holding said lid in closed position, a safety catch movably associated with said tub for engaging said lid in closed position, a safety switch operable by said safety catch and electrically connected m circuit with said motor, a manually rotatable operating shaft, a lever bar mounted on said shaft, link means operatively connecting said bar with said starter switch for actuating said switch when the shaft is rotated in one direction, and link means operatively connecting said bar with said latching catch for releasing said locking catch when the shaft is rotated in the opposite direction.

4. In a dishwasher having a tub, a closure lid therefor, sealing means for the lid, and motor driven means for circulating water in the tub, lid locking and control mechanism including a starter switch electrically connected in circuit with said motor, a latching catch movably associated with and mounted exteriorly of said tub outside the lid sealing means for engaging said lid in closed position, a manually rotatable operating shaft located exteriorly of said tub, a lever bar mounted on said shaft, link means operatively connecting said bar with said starter switch for actuating said switch when the shaft is rotated in one direction, and link means operatively connecting said bar with said latching catch for releasing said catch when the shaft is rotated in the opposite direction.

5. In a dishwasher having a tub, a closure lid therefor, sealing means for the lid, and motor driven means for circulating water in the tub, lid locking and control mechanism including a starter switch electrically connected in circuit with said motor, a latching catch movably associated with and mounted exteriorly of .said tub outside the lid sealing means for engaging said lid exteriorly of the tub in closed position outside the lid sealing means, and manual means movable in one direction for releasing said latching catch to open the lid and movable in the opposite direction for actuating said starter switch.

6. In a dishwasher having a tub, a closure lid therefor, sealing means for the lid, and motor driven means for circulating Water in the tub, lid locking and control mechanism including a starter switch electrically connected in circuit with said motor, a latching catch movably associated with and mounted exteriorly of said tub outside the lid sealing means for engaging said lid exteriorly of the tub in closed position outside the lid sealing means, and an operating shaft manually rotatable in one direction for releasing said latching catch to open the lid and manually rotatable in the opposite direction for actuating said starter switch.

7. In a dishwasher having a tub, a closure lid therefor, and motor driven means for circulating water in the tub, lid locking and control mechanism including a starter switch electrically connected in circuit with said motor, a latching catch movably associated with said tub for holding said lid in closed position, a safety catch movably associated with said tub for engaging said lid in closed position, spring means urging both catches toward said lid, a safety switch operable by said safety catch and electrically connected in circuit with said motor, and manual means movable in one direction for releasing said latching catch and movable in the opposite direction for actuating said starter switch.

8. In a dishwasher having a tub, a closure lid therefor, and a motor driven means for circulating water in the tub, lid locking and control mechanism including a starter switch electrically connected in circuit with said motor, a latching catch movably associated with said tub for holding said lid in closed position, a safety catch movably associated with said tub for engaging said lid in closed position, spring means urging both catches toward said lid, a safety switch operable by said safety catch and electrically connected in circuit with said motor, a manually rotatable operating shaft, a lever bar mounted on said shaft, link means operatively connecting said bar with said starter switch for actuating said switch when the shaft is rotated in one direction, and link means operatively connecting said bar with said latching catch for releasing said latching catch when the shaft is rotated in the opposite direction.

9. In a dishwasher having a tub, a closure lid therefor, sealing means for the lid, and motor driven means for circulating water in the tub, lid locking and control mechanism including a starter switch electrically connected in circuit with said motor, a latching catch movably associated with and mounted exteriorly of said tub outside the lid sealing means for engaging said lid in closed position, spring means urging said catch toward lid-locking position, a manually rotatable operating shaft located exteriorly of said tub, a lever bar mounted on said shaft, link means operatively connecting said bar with said starter switch for actuating said switchwhen the shaft is rotated in one direction, and link means operatively connecting said bar with said latching catch for releasing said catch when the shaft is rotated in the opposite direction,

7 10. In a dishwasher having a cabinet, a tub in the cabinet, a closure lid for the tub, and motor driven means for circulating water in said tub, lid locking and control mechanism including a starter switch electrically connected in circuit with said motor, a latching catch pivotally mounted on said cabinet for holding the lid in closed position, a safety catch pivotally mounted on said cabinet for engaging said lid in closed position, a safety switch operable by said safety catch and electrically connected in circuit with said motor, an operating shaft extending through and journaled in the front of said cabinet, a lever bar on said shaft within the cabinet, link means operatively connecting said lever bar with said starter switch for actuating said starter switch when the shaft is rotated in one direction, link means operatively connecting said lever bar with said latching catch for releasing said catch when the shaft is rotated in the opposite direction, a knob rotatable on the outer end of said shaft, and means for selectively connecting said knob to said shaft.

11. In a dishwasher having a cabinet, a tub in the cabinet,'a closure lid for the tub, and motor driven means for circulating water in said tub, lid locking and control mechanism including a starter switch electrically connected in circuit with said motor, a latching catch pivotally mounted on said cabinet for holding the lid in closed position,'an operating shaft exterior of the tub and eX- tending through and journaled in the front of said cabinet, a lever bar on said shaft within the cabinet, link means operatively connecting .said lever bar with said starter switch for'actuating said starter switch when the shaft is rotated in one direction, link means operatively connecting said lever bar with said latching catch for releasing said catch when the shaft is rotated in the opposite direction, a knob rotatable on the outer end of said shaft, and means for selectively connecting said knob to said shaft,

12. In a dishwasher having a tub, a closure lid therefor, and motor driven means for circulating water in the tub, lid-locking and control mechanism including a starter switch electrically connected in circuit with said motor, a strike bar on said lid, a latching catch pivotally associated with said tub having a locking projection engaging over the strike bar in lid closed position, a safety catch pivotally associated with said tub having a rounded 7 projection abutting the edge of said strike bar in lid closed position, a safety switch operable by said safety catch and electrically connected in circuit with said motor, and manual means movable in one direction for releasing said latching catch and movable in the opposite direction for actuating said starter switch.

13. In a dishwasher having a cabinet, a tub in the for actuating said starter switch when the shaft is rotated in one direction, link means operatively connecting said lever bar with said latching catch for releasing said catch when the shaft is rotated in the opposite direction, 'a knob rotatable on the outer end of said shaft, means forselectively engaging said knob with said shaft to rotate said shaft upon rotation of the knob, and yielding means normally holding said knob disengaged.

14. In a dishwasher having a tub, a closure lid therefor, and motor driven means for circulating water in the tub, lid-iocking and control mechanism including a starter switch electrically connected in circuit with said motor, a latching catch movably associated with said tub for en aging said lid in closed position, manual means for releasing said latching catch and for actuating said starter switch, said manual means including a shaft mounted exteriorly of the tub rotatable in one direction for releasing said latching catch and rotatable inthe opposite direction for actuating said starter switch, a knob normally freely rotatable on the outer end of said shaft and mounted for movement axially of the shaft, members on the knob and shaft selectively engageable'upon axial and rotatable movement of the knob relative to the shaft for rotating the shaft in either direction, and spring means normally holding said members disengaged.

15. In a dishwasher having a tub, a closure lid'therefor, and motor driven means for circulating water in the tub, lid-locking and control mechanism including a starter switch electrically connected in circuit with said motor, a latching catch movably associated with said tub for engaging said lid in closed position, springmeans urging said catch toward lid-locking position, a manually rotatable operating shaft, a normally horizontal lever bar mounted on said shaft, link means operatively connecting said bar with said starter switch for actuating said switch when the shaft is moved in one direction to move said bar out of horizontal in said one direction, link means operatively connecting said bar with said latching catch for releasing said catch when the shaft is moved in the opposite direction to move said bar out of horizontal in said opposite direction, and spring means urging said bar to horizontal position.

16. In a dishwasher having a tub, a closure lid therefor, and motor driven means for circulating water in the tub,

lid-locking and control mechanism including a starter switch electrically connected in circuit with said motor,. a latching catch movably associated with said tub for engaging said lid in closed position, spring means-urging said catch toward lid-locking position, a manually rotatable operating shaft, a normally horizontal lever bar mounted on said shaft, link means operatively connecting said. bar with said starter switch for actuating said switch when the shaft is moved in one direction to move said bar out of horizontal in said one direction, link means operatively connecting said bar with said latching catch for releasing said catch when the shaft is moved in the opposite direction to move said bar out of horizontal in said opposite direction, spring'means urging said bar'to horizontal position, and stop means limiting movement of said bar in either direction out of horizontal.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNlTED STATES PATENTS 1,670,611 Couch May 22, 1923 2,425,620 Kempton Aug. 12, 1947 2,429,090 Burtwells Oct. 14, 1947 2,468,584 Wotring Apr. 26, 1949 2,575,704 Clark Nov. 20, 1951 2,618,282 Stanitz et al Nov. 18, 1952 

